What to Expect from today’s Newsletter

• Why Great Art Invites Us to Look Deeper 

• Our Next Regal Salon on February 26th at 6pm EST

• A seed of inspo to take into the week

• Upcoming events 

Hola Beautiful Humans 😍 

Before we get into it… We have until Thursday to make the Forbes Top 10 cut!! I would deeply appreciate your support and <120 seconds of your time with your vote here.

On the topic of Opacity…

Can a portrait exist without a face, a body, or even a life story? Can it be a portrait if it’s not even recognizable as one? 

The answer is yes. This thought-provoking take on portraiture stems from Martinique-born poet and philosopher Édouard Glissant. 

In Poetics of Relation (1990), he championed "the right to opacity for everyone," challenging the idea that identity must be neatly defined or fully understood.

In embracing opacity, portraiture becomes more than just likeness; it captures the elusive, unspoken layers of a person—their mysteries, contradictions, and the parts that defy convention.

• Glissant believed that opacity is the most ethical way to communicate and that it can challenge systems of domination. 

Insert Sunday’s halftime show.  

As soon as Kendrick Lamar’s opened with a Tic Tac Toe digital game board, I knew we were about to go deep.

This is what it means to be intentional as f*ck. He hadn’t uttered a single word, but for those paying attention? Escuela was in session.

Kendrick—a Pulitzer Prize-winning artist whose album DAMN. captured the layered realities of modern Black life—has always been a master of weaving the personal with the political, the historical with the now.

And that Tic Tac Toe opening reference? It wasn’t just a game.

British author Malorie Blackman once said she named her novel Noughts & Crosses (aka Tic Tac Toe) because once you understand its strategy, it almost always ends in a draw—a no-win situation.

She stated, “That pretty much sums up racism.”

Nobody truly wins.

So by the time Kendrick reached the crescendo of the performance and declared:

"It’s a cultural divide, I’m gonna get on the flow. 40 acres and a mule – this is bigger than the music. They thought they rigged the game, but you can’t fake influence…”

I knew Drake was a second act, a proxy for a larger conversation. And the message was loud and clear.

Nina Simone once said:

Great Art invites us to go deeper, to talk about what resonated in our hearts, to hope and remember the dreams planted by ancestors long ago.

Speaking of Ms. Nina - she would have been 92 years young this month.  Happy Birthday!

In Friday's email we mentioned that we would be launching our Regal Salon series. 

Very excited to announce that our first guest speaker will be Dr. Nicholas Powers the author of the newly published, “Black Psychedelic Revolution”.  

About This Salon:

A Mind-Expanding Journey Through Afrofuturism and Psychedelic Consciousness

In this groundbreaking virtual salon, Dr. Nicholas Powers challenges us to envision a new paradigm of healing. While the mainstream has often viewed psychedelic medicine through a lens of privilege, Dr. Powers reveals how these powerful tools for transformation have deep roots in Black and Indigenous cultures.

This book is not just a story—it’s an experience. With lyrical prose and razor-sharp insight, Powers weaves an Afrofuturistic narrative that challenges, inspires, and expands the mind.

Through a masterful blend of history, philosophy, and visionary storytelling, he explores the intersections of race, consciousness, and psychedelia in a way that feels both deeply personal and profoundly universal. His writing doesn’t just theorize—it immerses, taking the reader on a journey that is at once intellectual and spiritual.

What makes this book so thought-provoking is its fearless examination of the past while dreaming radically toward the future. More than just an exploration, it offers a blueprint for healing—guiding readers through the layers of racial, generational, and systemic trauma with an eye toward liberation. Powers doesn’t shy away from difficult questions; instead, he invites us to explore them with open minds and open hearts.

About Dr. Nicholas Powers:

A visionary voice in the Psychedelic Renaissance since 2017, Dr. Powers brings together academic insight with radical hope as an Associate Professor of English at SUNY Old Westbury. His contributions to publications from Lucid News to Double Blind, along with presentations at Naropa University and Chacruna, have helped shape the conversation around psychedelics, healing, and social transformation.

Why This Matters:

This isn't just about individual wellness - it's about healing a nation. Dr. Powers shows us how psychedelics, combined with quality therapy and safe, equitable access, can be a catalyst for both personal and societal transformation. This conversation opens doors to understanding how we can transcend historical trauma while building bridges toward collective liberation.

You can join us on Wednesday, February 26th at 6pm EST by registering here.

You can also purchase his book here.

Prompt to reflect on this week:

"What past narratives or inherited fears are still shaping your path—and how much of them are truly yours to carry?"

Upcoming Events 

Thursday, Feb 20th: RR’s Heart-Mind Coherence Workshop

Unlock the power of heart-mind coherence to master your energy, emotions, and resilience. This workshop will teach you how to tap into deep inner balance for peak performance, clarity, and peace. Ready to rewire your nervous system and transform stress into strength? Sign up now!

Wednesday, Feb 26th: Salon with Dr. Nicholas Powers

Explore the intersection of psychedelics, healing, and Black liberation in this groundbreaking virtual salon with Dr. Nicholas Powers. Dive into a powerful conversation on how entheogens can help transmute trauma into freedom. Join the revolution—reserve your spot today!

Have a blessed day!  

Con Mucho Amor,

Tanyette

PS — Quick humble ask again for your vote in the Forbes contest I’m currently in! Have already advanced and hoping to advance again later this week! Gracias 😇 

PPS — We would love to invite you as a Founding Member of Regal Resilience at a discounted founding members rate of $49/mo — join the revolution and our community ☺️